Chiang Rai Advances “Holistic Care for the Elderly” Project for Better Quality of Life

  A recent study suggests that limiting daily meals to an eight- to nine-hour eating window may help support brain health, particularly in older women. The findings were presented at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, and are currently considered preliminary because the research has not yet been peer-reviewed. Scientists from Rutgers University found that women aged 50 to 79 who followed time-restricted eating while maintaining a calorie deficit performed better on certain cognitive tests than those who spread their meals over a typical 12-hour period. The six-month study included 47 overweight or obese women, all of whom reduced their daily calorie intake by about 500 calories. Of the participants, 26 consumed all of their meals within an average 8.2-hour window, while the remaining women ate over an average 12.3-hour period. Both groups lost nearly 15 pounds on average by the end of the study. However, the women who followed the shorter eating window performed better in spatial planning and problem-solving tasks. They also made fewer errors on learning and memory tests, although those improvements were not statistically significant. Researchers found no noticeable differences in reaction time or multitasking abilities. Lead researcher Dr. Sue Shapses, a professor at Rutgers University and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said the findings suggest that meal timing may provide additional cognitive benefits beyond weight loss alone. She explained that finishing meals about four hours before bedtime and limiting eating to an eight- or nine-hour daily window may help reduce age-related cognitive decline. Researchers believe these benefits could be linked to the body’s circadian rhythm, metabolism, inflammation, and nutrient-sensing pathways, although more research is needed to confirm these effects. Experts cautioned that the findings should be interpreted carefully because the study involved a relatively small number of participants and has not yet undergone peer review. The researchers emphasized that larger and longer-term studies are needed to determine whether time-restricted eating can significantly improve long-term brain health and cognitive function. Until further evidence becomes available, the results provide encouraging but preliminary insights into how meal timing may influence healthy brain aging.

  A new study by American scientists has revealed that just a few minutes of extremely intense exercise may provide greater health benefits than spending hours doing light or moderate physical activity. The study examined how different levels of exercise affect proteins and biological processes in the human body. Researchers found that short bursts of high-intensity exercise produced significantly greater changes in health-related proteins in the blood compared with cycling at a normal pace. As part of the research, participants performed intense cycling on an exercise bike in 30-second bursts. Each high-speed cycling session was followed by a four-minute recovery period. Researchers observed positive changes in 714 proteins associated with health and bodily functions after the intense exercise. In comparison, cycling at a normal pace affected only seven proteins highlighting the potentially powerful biological response triggered by short periods of vigorous physical activity. One of the most interesting findings involved a molecule known as Lac-Phe, which has been linked to appetite regulation and metabolism. According to the researchers, intense exercise increases levels of Lac-Phe in the body. The molecule may help regulate hunger and appears to influence fat metabolism. The researchers also found that intense physical activity activated more than 1,600 genes in fat cells, potentially increasing the body’s ability to burn or process fat. These findings suggest that high-intensity exercise may trigger a much broader metabolic response than previously understood. To further examine the possible long-term health implications, the scientists analyzed data from more than 53,000 people. Their analysis showed that several of the proteins activated by intense exercise were associated with a lower risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The researchers also found connections between these biological changes and processes related to aging. This suggests that intense physical activity may potentially help slow some of the biological effects associated with aging, although further research is needed to fully understand these relationships. Dr. Paul Cohen, the lead researcher of the study, said the findings were particularly interesting because they demonstrated how the body can produce a powerful positive response after only a few minutes of intense exercise. He noted that the discovery could be particularly useful for people with busy lifestyles who struggle to find enough time for lengthy workouts. Instead of spending several hours exercising, short periods of high-intensity activity may provide substantial biological benefits. The findings add to growing scientific evidence that the intensity of exercise may be just as important as its duration. While regular physical activity remains essential for maintaining overall health, the study suggests that brief periods of vigorous exercise could be an efficient way to stimulate important metabolic and cardiovascular responses. However, intense exercise is not necessarily suitable for everyone. People who are new to exercise or have existing health concerns should consider their fitness level and consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning high-intensity workouts. Overall, the study offers an encouraging message for people who find it difficult to dedicate long hours to exercise. A carefully structured routine involving short bursts of intense activity may potentially produce significant health benefits, making exercise more practical for people with demanding daily schedules.

  Karachi: Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho has expressed serious concern over the rising maternal mortality rate associated with repeated cesarean section (C-section) deliveries. Speaking at the “Maa Rahe Salamat” (May Mothers Stay Safe) Family Planning Summit held at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in Karachi, she emphasized the urgent need for stronger policies and legislation to protect the lives and health of mothers in Pakistan. Addressing participants at the summit, Dr. Pechuho stated that Sindh has taken a leading role in promoting maternal and child health across the country. She highlighted that the provincial government has introduced several laws and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services for women and children, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth. The health minister noted that the increasing number of cesarean deliveries has contributed to a higher rate of maternal deaths. According to her, repeated surgical deliveries expose women to greater health risks, including excessive bleeding, infections, complications from anesthesia, and damage to internal organs. She said the provincial health department is actively working to address these issues and expressed confidence that the results of these efforts will become visible in the near future. Dr. Pechuho stressed that protecting mothers during childbirth should be treated as a national priority. She said the government wants to introduce legislation that ensures the safety of women during pregnancy and delivery while also promoting informed family planning decisions. One of the key proposals she discussed was the introduction of tubal ligation after a woman’s third cesarean section. Tubal ligation is a permanent method of contraception in which the fallopian tubes are blocked or sealed to prevent future pregnancies. According to Dr. Pechuho, women who undergo a third C-section face significantly higher health risks if they become pregnant again. She argued that women should have the right to request tubal ligation during their third cesarean delivery if they wish to avoid future pregnancies. In her view, providing this option would help reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve long-term maternal health outcomes. She added that ensuring access to this procedure should be considered an important part of reproductive healthcare. The minister further remarked that if Pakistan is serious about reducing maternal mortality, mandatory consideration of tubal ligation after a third cesarean section should be included in public health policy. She explained that she deliberately presented the proposal in cautious terms but believes that legislation should move in this direction. According to her, she is already working to advance legal reforms that would support this objective. Dr. Pechuho concluded by reaffirming the Sindh government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers and newborns. She emphasized that comprehensive maternal healthcare, effective family planning services, and timely medical interventions are essential for reducing preventable deaths and ensuring healthier families. She expressed hope that the proposed legal and policy reforms would strengthen maternal healthcare services and provide greater protection for women across the province.